"They translate the signs the gods give us," Ragnar says, "same as Athelstan here translates all the foreign languages other people speak. But just like it's possible to learn those, it's not all that hard to understand the gods yourself."

He takes a deep sip from his own cup of mead.

"When the gods have to make demands, it's too late; we should have paid attention long before that. They give and take; we ask and we offer, and just like merchants at the market, we strike a bargain and live another year without them taking too much."